Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative Application

Frequently Asked Questions:

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1) What is the Application process?

Interested jurisdictions should submit a letter of interest on or before April 11, 2008. Although the letter is not required it will provide important information to CJJR about the number of interested jurisdictions. CJJR will send a notification that the letter of interest has been received. The full application must be submitted on or before May 1, 2008.  Applications may be submitted electronically or by mail but must be received by CJJR no later than May 1, 2008.

2) What is the Team selection process?

Each application will be reviewed by a team made up of faculty, partners, and CJJR staff. The evaluators will be looking for a demonstrated history of cross-system collaboration and integration, or a demonstrated commitment to system integration. A select number of teams will be contacted to participate in the telephone scenario demonstration. During the telephone demonstration the evaluators will ask Senior Leaders, proposed Day-to-Day Managers, and other key proposed team members to describe their experience with and commitment to system integration and collaboration, as outlined in the application package. Based on the outcome of the scenario demonstration the final team selection will occur.

3) How many teams will be selected to participate in the CP/BSC?

Seven teams will be selected.

4) Must the directors and/or administrators be from the state or county system?

It can be either. The CJJR is seeking leaders that have authority over budget and policy.  Each jurisdiction has a different way of administering and operating their juvenile justice and child welfare systems. Therefore, we want to allow for flexibility in team structure to fit the needs of your state, tribe or jurisdiction.  However, it is not the intention that Non-Profit representatives be a senior leader on your team. If the submitted application makes the case that a Non-Profit representative can drive change in the public agency (for example, states or jurisdictions that have been privatized), they will be considered. There is no flexibility in the judiciary position on the Senior Leader team.  

5) Can multiple counties or field offices from one state apply?

Yes

6) Can a state and local team apply?

Yes

7) How would the CP/BSC fit with the Models for Change supported by the McArthur foundation?

The McArthur Foundation is an important partner with CJJR.  The McArthur Foundation’s Model for Change focuses on four states, and multiple communities in those states, across the country. The areas of focus, the values and the principles of the Models for Change mirror those of the CJJR. CJJR worked closely with consultants of the McArthur Foundation to make sure the BSC methodology was a complementary piece to their work.

8) Who are you selecting for faculty?

The majority of the faculty have a combination of practitioner, policy, and academic experience. Many of the proposed faculty have  experience with community organizing and in cross-system efforts.

9) What does the target site look like? Is it a theoretical construct or a physical place?

It is a physical place. Please refer to page 19 of the application materials. As an example, the target site can be a specific neighborhood or county office. The location should be sizeable enough to conduct small tests of change and have the capability to measure the impact of change. Within your application you can discuss the pilot site you are proposing. That site will be confirmed by the Senior Leaders at the conclusion of the Certificate Program.

10) What is the definition of cross over?

This work can be applied to youth that are known to, but not active in, the Child Welfare system and later become involved with the Juvenile Justice system (or vice versa). It is not necessary to focus exclusively on youth who are currently involved in both systems.

11) Is it beneficial to send staff to the Certificate Program for Individuals and apply to the CP/BSC?

Yes, the CP/BSC limits your team to seven leaders for the Certificate Program. However, your agency may have identified other current leaders or up-and-coming senior managers that could benefit from this leadership development opportunity.

12) What is the difference in the Curriculum for the Certificate Program for Individuals (CPI) and the Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Teams (CP/BSC)?

The content of the curriculum is identical, although there is variation in instruction based upon a team or individual approach to the material. CPI attendees will be completing a Capstone Project upon their return home. The Capstone Project will be a paper that incorporates the learning from the training into reform efforts they want to see in their respective states. The Capstone Project will not be required of participants of the Certificate Program portion of the CP/BSC, as it lays the foundation for the work their respective states will do in the BSC through the year long engagement of the teams.

13) What is expected of teams that are selected related to participation?

Each team will be expected to send a group of seven leaders to the 5 day Certificate Program in July. The BSC core team will attend 3 learning sessions, beginning November 17-19,2008. The remaining dates in March 2009 and September 2009 are to be determined. States that are not able to assemble a team for the CP/BSC are encouraged to apply to the CPI. This will aid in preparing your jurisdiction for future BSC involvement.

14) Will the CPI and CP/BSC be offered in the future?

Yes, it is planned that the CJJR will offer both programs again.

15) When you say "juvenile justice," are you referring strictly to the juvenile delinquency side or both delinquency and dependency?

The program focuses on both the delinquency and dependency systems.

16) You refer to leaders and policymakers. Are these programs for judges as well as administrative people?

Yes, both the CPI and the CP/BSC programs are for judges and administrative people.

17) Are there any minutes available from the April 17th call?

The minutes were not recorded but all questions and responses were recorded and are posted on the website under Frequently Asked Questions.

18)  When are applications due?

Applications for the Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative are due on May 1, 2008.

19) If I do not submit an interest form, can I still apply?

Yes.  You do not have to submit an interest form to apply.  Likewise, you can submit an interest form and decide not to apply.

20) Q uestion # 10 on the team application (page 26) asks about the day-to-day managers for the CP/BSC -- are these managers a part of the Core team or the 7-member certificate program team (the 4 members that do not make up the Senior Leader Team discussed in question #9)?  In Question # 11 -- it is asking for the Core Team composition and again asks about the day-to-day managers.  Please clarify.

Question #9 refers to the senior leaders.  Question #10 refers to the two day-to-day managers, who are part of the core team.  Question #11 refers to all of the core team, including the two day-to-day managers. 

21) For the Certificate Program for Teams in July, how much will the hotel cost per night per participant?

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform is working with the area hotels to get a rate of approximately $150.00 per night.

22) How many Interest Forms were submitted?

The Center for Juvenile Justice Reform is not releasing the number of interest forms submitted due to the fact that submitting an Interest Form is not a mandatory requirement for submitting an application.  So, a team could still apply and have not submitted an interest form, OR a team may submit an interest form, but decide not to apply.

Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Teams Summary (PDF)

Certificate Program/Breakthrough Series Collaborative for Teams Application (PDF)

If you are interested in the Certificate Program for Individuals click here.

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Thank you for your interest!  If you need further information please contact us.